Mojtaba Khamenei Reportedly Involved in Formulating Iran's War Strategy and Negotiations

Hamilton, Canada (ANTARA) - US intelligence agencies believe that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is involved in formulating war strategies and negotiations with the US, even though he has not yet appeared in public as he continues to recover from injuries, CNN reported on Friday (8/5). Citing sources familiar with the US intelligence assessment, CNN noted that there is still uncertainty about the extent of Mojtaba Khamenei’s authority within Iran’s leadership structure following the US-Israel attack that killed several senior Iranian officials, including his father, Ali Khamenei. It was also mentioned that US officials believe Mojtaba Khamenei continues to communicate through trusted envoys and direct meetings during his recovery process from burns and shrapnel wounds. On the other hand, Iranian officials state that the leader’s condition is steadily improving. Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol at the Office of Iran’s Supreme Leader, said on Friday that Khamenei’s condition is showing positive progress and dismissed speculation about his health. The report also stated that the US intelligence assessment concludes that Iran’s military capabilities have been weakened by the US attack but have not been completely destroyed. Many of Iran’s missile launch facilities are still operational. CNN also reported that senior officials of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are believed to be handling much of the day-to-day government operations amid ongoing diplomatic efforts with the US government.